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The demand for HR professionals in Singapore has declined in the second quarter of 2016, despite a 19% increase in HR job advertisements across Asia.

In Singapore, job advertisements for HR roles fell by 5% compared to the same quarter last year, according to the Robert Walters Asia Job Index Q2 2016.

However, demand for HR professionals across the continent rose by 19% - the highest increase amongst all professions in the region.

In the face of some economic slowdown, job postings overall in Singapore rose by a relatively healthy 6%, according to the report, which showed slower growth compared to China and Hong Kong.

Administrative job advertisements in Singapore dropped by a steep 24%, but were balanced out by high growth in the marketing and IT professions of 19%.

The report attributed the overall rise in job postings to Singapore’s continued position as a key global business hub, which attracts companies to set up regional offices in the country.

Toby Fowlston, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, said: “Despite a slowdown in export and investment, the growth in tourism and increased public spending on major infrastructure projects drove hiring in engineering, as well as corporate functions such as finance and marketing,” Today Online reported.

“Recent global events might also prompt more overseas Singaporeans to look for opportunities back home.